Racism and Criminalization in Harper's Canada

With the recent Harper Conservative majority, an omnibus crime bill is being proposed that will double the budget for policing, expand prisons, enforce mandatory minimum sentences, and focus on punitive instead of rehabilitative programs. This US-style approach will further criminalize poor people and communities of colour.

At the same time, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews and Minister of Censorship and Deportation Jason Kenney have re-introduced Human Smuggling Bill C4. Based on the internationally-condemned Australian model, this bill proposes mandatory detention for migrants for 12 months.